👶🏻🎄💗 “The Baby’s Christmas Blessing” (Cape Cod #2) (2022) 💗🎄👶🏻 – Book Review
MY REVIEW
Publisher: Love Inspired (September 27, 2022)
Language: English
ISBN: 1335585281
ISBN-13: 978-1335585288
⬅️ Click Photo for Purchase Information
“A second chance at love
with a newborn as matchmaker!
Nothing will be merry about Steve Weston’s Christmas if he doesn’t find a nanny for his newborn nephew fast. But the best choice is Chloe Richardson, the woman he pushed away years ago. He has a second chance at making the season’s joy last for a lifetime—unless he allows old wounds to separate them once more…”
Thank you in advance to the author, Meghann Whistler, for providing a complimentary review copy through her review team. A positive review was not required nor requested, and all words are my own.
While not “officially” a series – I am referring to it as one as the two main characters from Falling for the Innkeeper return in this book set in the same Cape Cod area, and featuring the Sea Glass Inn. Laura, sweet Emma, and even “Mr. Jonafin” (Johnathan). Laura is Chloe’s friend as well – so the two books are “connected”.
After reading her debut book, I was SO hoping for a return to the cape and the characters. While the author gives you enough from the first book to know what’s going on, it is best to read the first one to get the Laura/Emma/Jonathan dynamic. Trust me, that is a delight – must like this one is.
Another reason I wanted to read this? THE COVER! How could I NOT want to read this? I LOVE Christmas stories. I’m a rare reader – I’ll read them ANYTIME of the year.
If it being a Christmas book isn’t enough, how about the CUTE baby and the man? Okay, maybe not MY type, but hey – it’s the symbolism that counts. I mean, it is rather swoony.
In her sophomore book, Whistler introduces readers to:
🩺 Steve
🧮 Chloe
🧸 Aiden
👒 Mabel
There are going to be some topics mentioned as part of the character backgrounds that might bother some readers. These are mentions of drug abuse, domestic violence, clinical depression, as well as an orphan, and a stoke victim.
Right off, it is clear that Chloe adores sweet Aiden, though an incident with a bottle puts her face-to-face with her “crush” from band camp.
But, neither Steve nor Chloe are looking for romance. He’s looking for a nanny, she’s only taking the job until she can leave to complete her degree program which she has put on hold a few times.
Of course, Steve remembers her and even calls her by the old nickname “Blondie”.
He asks her to start immediately, even if she is temporary.
Steve also has a lot of his own issues to work through. The death of his sister has put him into financial devastation, along with not being able to take in patients for his clinic so he can repay his loans. This highlights the reality for many and part of my “can’t put this down” issue. I HAD to see how this was going to work out.
That said …
One of Steve’s issues and secrets is highlighted when Chloe wants to go shopping for clothes for the baby. It is one of those cutesy “I just did 9 months on the inside” onesies. It is because of that Steve tells Chloe about his father being in prison, later he tells her why.
This plays into the story with Steve dealing with rejection from a woman who didn’t want to marry the son of a murderer and have “murderer kids”. It is about the worst part of the book – emotionally speaking.
Plot wise? One of the best dramatic moments. This causes him to shun being a father himself as well as relationships.
There is a funny moment before that when Steve discovers the benefits of “baby-wearing” with wraps. I laughed pretty hard when he asked if guys could wear it. Oh, my heart!
There is an incident which stretches Chloe and Steve’s friendship – it is when his aunt Mabel is hospitalized and needs hip surgery. I truly understood Steve’s issue when it came to “no other family” around to help.
Whistler also adds dramatic elements with Chloe running into her ex-boyfriend and his wife, who is pregnant; as well as a life-changing moment between Steven and his father.
In addition, readers get a background “secondary” romance with an older couple – Bill and Irene.
The author slides in a very relevant message about grief and there not being a timeline for it or trauma.
As with most romances, this will have a “happily-ever-after” ending. However, most of the joy is in the journey to get there.
I ended up reading this inside of a 2-3 hour period. Depending on what type of reader one is – this is easily a day read. I used to read the similarly sized Harlequin Intrigue books in a day’s time back about 20 years ago.
Not only does Whistler use short chapters, which really moves the story along and kept me reading – the story itself doesn’t lag at all with the even pace. It didn’t feel rushed at all, and yet it was a very quick read for me.
As of note – I actually knew about the seahorses and it was part of a running joke between my mom and her high school bestie – trying to find a pregnant man – much like the seahorse.
I personally enjoyed the trip down memory lane with the mention of the pizza parlors. We don’t have many where I am; and I miss the ones we had.
There were a few I went to growing up – old school Shakey’s with a music box and Pac-Man table in California. Another was Straw Hat – big screen TV, arcade games, BIG refillable jug for soda.
Another was Godfather’s (Later Mazzio’s) that had pool and a jukebox – loved their food: pitcher of Coke, pizza, wings, and breadsticks. As of note, that is how I got one of my collectible Coke Bear ornaments – buying a “meal” like that, bear was free. Still have it some 27+ years later. That part really hit in the “feels”.
Overall – this was a wonderful treat in anticipation for the holiday season.
Since this is from the LOVE INSPIRED line, it will have some elements of the Christian faith. These are mild in tone in comparison to other Christian fiction books.
Those who read her debut novel will definitely want to read this. Anyone who enjoys a sweet, second-chance romance, with complex issues and those who are learning to heal – will definitely want to read this.
I cannot wait to read her next book! She’s easily a must-read author.
RATING:
5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ /5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Goodreads
5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ /5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Bookbub
5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ /5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Personal Rating (see rating explanation in this blog: https://readingexcursions.blogspot.com/2020/01/rating-system-2020-changes.html;update https://readingexcursions.blogspot.com/2022/07/what-goes-into-my-reviews-2022-edition.html)
PREVIOUS BOOK IN THE SERIES:
A battle for a charming Cape Cod inn…
But what happens when romance checks in?
Single mom Laura Lessoway won’t accept her mother’s plan of selling her late grandmother’s inn without a fight. But when big-city attorney Jonathan Masters arrives to arrange an offer from his client, she’s drawn to him. And working together as he helps with repairs only brings them closer. With his career and her home on the line, can they ever find common ground?”
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